Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) has announced exciting plans to expand into new areas and new types of affordable homes as it celebrates its 30th anniversary during 2019.
The housing association has been providing much needed affordable homes, specifically for local people, in Warwickshire’s villages since 1989. As a result, hundreds of residents have been able to stay in the villages where they have grown up or have family or work ties.
During the coming year, WRHA has plans to bring a further 21 affordable homes to four Warwickshire villages.
Next month WRHA will be moving into North Warwickshire for the first time when it takes ownership of two affordable bungalows in Corley. North Warwickshire Borough Council has provided some funding to enable the housing association to purchase the new homes.
With funding from Stratford-on-Avon District Council, WRHA is due to complete a development of seven homes in Great Alne in June. Following a Local Housing Needs survey, which showed community support for more affordable homes in the village, a scheme of two, three and four bedroom homes is now underway. The site will also comprise public open space, landscaping and an attenuation pond to store runoff water.
In July, WRHA will come full circle when it celebrates the completion of its development in Stretton on Fosse. WRHA’s first ever development, Harolds Orchard, began in the village 30 years ago, followed by phase two in 2009.
Now the housing association is returning to Stretton on Fosse for the third and final phase of Harolds Orchard. A further four houses and one bungalow are being built to meet the ongoing need for affordable homes in the village.
This summer will see another first, with WRHA aiming to submit plans for a groundbreaking site in Bearley. WRHA is investigating the possibility of a modular development, which would mean the seven affordable homes would be completed in record time.
The houses would be built in sections and craned into the site, including fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms. In a bid to reduce fuel poverty, the homes would have a high level of thermal insulation to make them as energy efficient as possible.
Richard Mugglestone, Company Secretary of Warwickshire Rural Housing Association, commented: “Our 30th anniversary year is set to be an exciting time. As a small rural affordable housing provider, expanding into North Warwickshire is a major move for us.
“Our aim has always been to make a real difference to local people. The energy-efficient modular homes we are proposing in Bearley will help families to keep their fuel bills low, saving energy and money. Affordable properties are vital to the sustainability of Warwickshire’s rural communities and we are pleased to be bringing more small schemes to local villages this year.”
Pictured above is WRHA’s flagship development, Keyte Gardens in Wotton Wawen, which was opened by HRH The Princess Royal last Autumn.
